State trooper scuffles with man walking along Interstate 57

A Richton Park man who was found walking on the shoulder of I-57 in Monee was charged with scuffling an Illinois State Trooper who tried to get the man off the expressway early this morning, officials said.

Mark A. Gaston, 46, was arrested after he was found on the shoulder of the northbound lanes of the expressway at Stunkle Road by the trooper, Illinois State police officials said in a press release.

After the trooper tried to get Gaston, who appeared incoherent, off the road, he became combative, officials said.

The trooper called for assistance from Illinois State Police District Chicago and local Monee, Richton Park, University Park, Crete, and Peotone officers arrived on the scene.

The two scuffled and both suffered minor injuries: the man to his head and face, the trooper to his hands, police said. He was charged with aggravated battery to a police officer and resisting arrest.

“It’s illegal for pedestrians to enter any expressway and occasionally officers will come across pedestrians or stranded motorists needing assistance to re-locate,” said Illinois State Police Capt. Bridget Bertrand.

"When pedestrians are wandering aimlessly on the expressways, it presents dangerous challenges for our troopers and motorists, and the quick action by the trooper prevented a more serious accident or tragedy from occurring.”